Then She Was Gone: A Novel

It was a great experience reading this book. The story is amazing and it keep you wondering what happens next. But sometimes it felt like the story was predictable. This was my first book by Lisa Jewell and I have ordered 2 more of her books. Really excited to read them both.

Then She Was Gone – Lisa Jewell A haunting story line that tugs at your heart and leaves you unsettled as you reach the end. The author entwines loss with longing as every chapter reveals a secret after another. There’s a slow and deliberate rhythm in the story as you read along, yet the suspense is never lost. It’s a story of guilt and grief and loss and a family that barely holds it together. This is a thriller that not only shocks you but leaves a dull pain within as you turn over the last page. Rating: ★★★★☆ #ThenSheWasGone #LisaJewell #LiteraryThriller #PsychologicalFiction #BookAesthetic #Bookstagram #SuspenseReads #BeautifulBooks #ReadersOfInstagram

Good

I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. It was kinda revealed who did what to Ellie very soon in the plot, but then why she did what she did is still a big question to me. And how come the police did not check the houses in the vicinity of where the girl was last seen. Had they then the story would’ve taken a different turn. Noelle’s character didn’t have a flashback or any revelation as to why she became that was, was it because she lost a sister when she was young, or her strict parents or her brother bullied her as she was the only girl, nothing about it. And another thing was that there were multiple POVs actually but then it was so confusing who’s pov I was reading as I started a chapter and understood only after a paragraph or two as to who’s pov it was. Again kinda didn’t really like any character specifically or rooted for them. How poppy was described and behaved when she was with Noelle and floyd seemed very strange to me, was it because the child knew she was not her mother or that the father told her things to keep her away from. Idk I still kinda feel the story is incomplete and I’m not able to wrap my head around what I just read. And also the last part I still don’t understand how Ellie wrote a letter when she was held in the basement. Did Noelle make her write it or did Noelle write it herself and why was it not revealed anywhere in the book? And floyd idk he’s like a weirdo too. Like how blue said he had a dark aura. And if he was a normal person he would’ve gone to the police or if not that and he really cared for poppy there’s no need for him to stalk laurel and her family and change how he is and was being like Paul. Idk it all doesn’t add up Oh and before I read the book I did read a lot of reviews which spoke about heart touching, motherly love and all that, there was all that but laurel showed that only for one child. She made her favourite very clear and also omg instances of the her thinking that it should’ve been Hanna and not Ellie and also Theo settled for Hanna as a consolation prize did not sit well with me at allllllll!!!!

Beginning of the book was extremely slow..pace picks up after half the novel.. My heart goes out to Ellie character, unfortunate girl. Finished this book in one sitting. A one-time read story. 424 pages.

Ellie is a 15-year-old girl who vanished on her way home one day. Laurel's life stalled after the loss of her beloved daughter Ellie; her marriage fell apart, and her relationship with her other two children became complicated. Despite this, she never gave up hope of finding Ellie. After 10 years, Laurel is endeavouring to embark on her life. She meets Floyd, a single dad. However, when Laurel finally gets to meet Floyd's daughter, Poppy, the striking resemblance between her and Ellie makes Laurel unnerved. Laurel becomes sceptical after noticing a few more similarities. This leads Laurel into a mysterious loop.

Loved it and finished it in less than 6 hours... Very well written with suspense unfolding on every page Will read more from Lisa Jewell

Heavy on heart!